Athletes of the Week: Jan. 8-14, 2018
The Empire 8 Athletic Conference has announced that ten student-athletes in six different sports have been recognized for outstanding play during the week of January 8-14, 2018....
Men’s Basketball Player – Nazareth
Jake Burgio, Junior, Forward – Brockport, NY/Brockport
Jake Burgio led Nazareth in each in points in each game during the week, as Nazareth went 2-1, including winning both conference games. He averaged 23.3 points on 64.4 percent from the floor (29-for-45), while averaging 8.0 rebounds. In 23 minutes against Hilbert, Burgio had 22 points (9-for-13), with eight rebounds. He followed that up with 22 points (9-for-14) and seven rebounds in an 87-67 victory over Alfred. He closed out the week with 26 points (11-for-18) and nine rebounds in a 78-65 win over Houghton.
Men’s Basketball Rookie – Hartwick
Kevin Townes, Freshman, Guard – Lagrangeville, NY/Our Lady of Lourdes
Kevin Townes averaged 24 points and nine rebounds per game for the Hawks in two Empire 8 games. He averaged 40.5 minutes, shot 49% (17-for-35) from the floor, 38% (6-for-16) from three-point range, and 89% (8-for-9) from the free-throw line. Townes shot 8-of-16 and connected on three three-pointers for a game-high 25 points on Thursday at Utica. He added four rebounds, an assist, and a blocked shot. On Saturday in a triple-overtime loss to Stevens, Townes scored a team-high 23 points with a game-high 14 rebounds. He went 9-of-19 from the floor, and 3-of-8 from downtown with two assists and a block.
Women’s Basketball Player – Nazareth
Rachel Benedict, Sophomore, Forward – Brockport, NY/Brockport
Rachel Benedict notched three double-doubles, averaging 21.3 points and 11.7 rebounds, in a 3-0 week for Nazareth. She had 16 points (4-for-13), 11 rebounds and four assists in a 71-59 win at Hilbert Monday. The sophomore notched 22 points (6-for-11) and 11 rebounds in Nazareth's friday night win over Alfred, 81-65. She closed out the week with a career-high 26 points (9-for-15), with 13 rebounds and three assists in a 73-60 win over Houghton.
Women’s Basketball Rookie – Hartwick
Kelly Pine, Freshman, Forward – Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosick Falls
Kelly Pine averaged 17.5 points and six rebounds while shooting 81% (13-for-16) from the floor and 100% (8-of-8) from the free-throw line in a 1-1 week for Hartwick. On Thursday, she scored 12 points, making four of her six shots from the floor, and contributed five rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in a victory over Utica. On Saturday, she played all 40 minutes and made 9-of-10 shots from the field for a career-high 23 points in a loss to Stevens. She added seven rebounds in the game.
Men’s Swimming & Diving Athlete – Nazareth
Seth Farrand, Freshman – Frankinville, NY/Franklinville
Seth Farrand and the Nazareth swimming and diving team knocked off the University of Rochester, 154-144 Saturday, for the first time since 1998. Farrand was a part of four winning events including the 200-free relay (1:27.42) to seal the victory. Farrand was a member of the winning 400 medley relay (3:35.27) that led off the meet and also won the 50- and 100-yard freestyles in :21.25 and :47.91 respectively.
Women’s Swimming & Diving Athlete – Nazareth
Taylor Robey, Freshman – Hurley, NY/Kingston
Taylor Robey was a part of four winning events Saturday, as Nazareth competed against the University of Rochester. Robey was on both winning relays, the 400 medley relay (4:07.95) and the 200 free (1:41.59). Robey won the 50- and 100-yard freestyles in :24.75 and :54.42 respectively.
Women’s Indoor Track Athlete – Stevens
Mary Visca, Junior – Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Sutherland
Mary Visca had an incredible race in the 1000- where she took the lead in the last 100 meters and pulled away. The school-record (which she already owns) is 2:59.09, and Saturday's time clocked in at 2:59.10.
Women’s Indoor Field Athlete – Stevens
Katie Weeks, Sophomore – Toms River, NJ/Msgr. Donovan
Katie Weeks broke the school-record in the shot put as the Stevens Institute of Technology women's track and field program began the 2018 portion of its schedule at the Towson Invitational on Saturday. Weeks threw 13.22 meters in the shot put – a new personal best – which currently ranks eighth in Division III and qualifies her for the All-Atlantic Region Track and Field Championships. She also took second in the weight throw (16.48m) with a huge 3+ meter personal best that currently ranks sixth in NCAA Division III.
Men’s Indoor Track Athlete – St. John Fisher
Mac Milligan, Graduate – Williamsville, NY/Williamsville North
Mac Milligan finished in the top spot in the one mile event at the Spartan Invite, finishing in 4:22.36 over a full second in front of the second place finisher. Milligan also finished in 17th place of 43 runners in the 800-meter event (2:05.23).
Men’s Indoor Field Athlete – Utica
Ka’Sean Watlington, Sophomore – Bayport, NY/Bayport-Bluepoint
Utica's Ka'Sean Watlington had an impressive day as he posted the top distance in the men's triple jump to take home ten team points for Utica at the Middlebury Winter Classic. His jump of 14.38 meters currently ranks fifth on the national indoor list. He also posted a fifth place finish in the men's 60 meter dash with a time of 7.16 and added a second place finish in the men's long jump with a distance of 6.61m.